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Browned Onion Kugels

These individual browned onion kugels offer a wonderful twist on a traditional Jewish comfort food. By baking the noodle mixture in a muffin tin, you create perfectly portioned savoury cakes with irresistible golden edges. The depth of flavour comes from slowly caramelising the onions in butter, which provides a rich sweetness that balances the tangy soured cream and creamy cottage cheese. A sprinkling of poppy seeds adds a delicate crunch and a professional finish to every bite.

This vegetarian dish is an excellent addition to a festive spread or a simple family dinner. Whether served as a side to a main course or enjoyed as a satisfying snack, these noodle cups are as versatile as they are delicious. Because they hold their shape so well, they are particularly suited for buffets or lunchboxes. Serve them warm from the oven to appreciate their light, puffed texture and rich, buttery aroma.

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Ingredients for Browned Onion Kugels

  • 170g medium egg noodles (400g )

  • 1 stick (110g ) unsalted butter

  • 725ml chopped onions (2 large)

  • 300ml soured cream

  • 300ml small-curd cottage cheese (275g)

  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

  • 4 large eggs

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoons black pepper

  • a muffin tin with 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups

How to make Browned Onion Kugels

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 218°C.

Cook noodles in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water, then drain well.

Melt butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat and brush muffin cups with some of butter. Add onions to skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned, about 20 minutes. Transfer onions to a large bowl and stir in noodles, soured cream, cottage cheese, and poppy seeds. Lightly beat eggs with salt and pepper, then stir into noodle mixture until combined well.

Divide mixture among muffin cups and bake until puffed and golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Loosen edges of kugels with a thin knife and cool kugels in pan 5 minutes before serving.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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